Randox Grand National Festival 2021: Day 3 Preview & Tips

The third and final day of the 2021 Grand National Festival from Aintree is highlighted by the running of the 40-horse, near 7,000 metre Grand National Handicap. This race is always one for the ages and is Race 6 on the card at 2:15am Australian Eastern Standard Time. Once again the team at @tips4punters are back to bring their local expert knowledge to dissect each race of the meeting. Check out their tips below!

Race 1: EFT Systems Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Saturday 10:45pm AEST

The final day of the Grand National 2021 meeting kicks off with the Grade 3 EFT Systems Handicap Hurdle. Wide open race this. Tom Lacey’s (6) Tea Clipper ran 3rd in the 26 runner Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Over the longer trip today.

(5) J’Ai Froid is in great form winning his last 4 races. Up in the weights but in fine form.

(18) Come On Teddy was recently 3rd in the Grade 3 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. More to come from this improving horse and he is the pick.

(7) Stoney Mountain also gets a mention for trainer Jamie Snowden.

TIP: (18) Come On Teddy – $7.00 at Sportsbet

Race 2: Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Saturday 11:25pm AEST

This race for me is all about My Drogo and Ballyadam.

(10) My Drogo is unbeaten over hurdles, the last two being Grade 2 races. At Grade 1 level now and looks set to go close.

(2) Ballyadam is the pick for this race. Twice 2nd to the Willie Mullins trained Appreciate It (recent Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 winner). No Appreciate It this time. Up in distance and should give My Drogo something to think about.

TIP: (2) Ballyadam – $3.80 at Ladbrokes

Race 3: Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

Sunday 12:00am AEST

This race is all about the Nicky Henderson trained (5) Shiskhin. Unbeaten in 2020 and so far in 2021. Easily winning the Grade 1 Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. Highest-rated novice chaser. Enough said really. In short should win this, but unbackable at the price.

TIP: (5) Shishkin – $1.12 at Sportsbet

Race 4: Ryanair Stayers Hurdle (Registered As The Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1)

Sunday 12:35am AEST

(11) Thyme Hill missed the Cheltenham Festival (setback) but is a big contender for this.

(8) Paisley Park has beaten Roksana and Thyme Hill before and was recently 3rd in the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The mare (15) Roksana was 3rd in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and receiving the 7lb allowance and going up to 3 miles (won at that distance) today she is the pick.

TIP: (15) Roksana – $6.00 at TopSport

Race 5: Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Sunday 1:15am AEST

(5) Happygolucky looks to be a serious player in this race. Form figures read 1212. 2nd in a Grade 3 at the Cheltenham Festival recently.

(1) Top Notch is up in trip with a 7lb claimer (Luca Morgan) on top, looks set to go very well. Last seen running at the Cheltenham Festival when 3rd to 2 nice Irish horses.

(12) Snow Leopardess another worthy of a mention, chance.

TIP: (1) Top Notch – $10.00 at Sportsbetting.com.au

Race 6: Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Sunday 2:15am AEST

Jonjo O’Neill trains (28) Cloth Cap who is the favourite in the UK for the Grand National. His owner Trevor Hemmings is no stranger to this race (winning it 3 times with Hedgehunter in 2005, Ballabriggs in 2011 and Many Clouds in 2015). This race is a lottery and has seen some big priced winners over the years. From 40 runners I have narrowed it down to these:

(7) Burrows Saint
(15) Any Second Now
(19) Takingrisks
(26) Discorama
(35) Minella Times

I think they all have a great chance to win. Back in 2012 Katie Walsh was the first female jockey to finish in the top three on Seabass. This year Rachael Blackmore (Minella Times), Byrony Frost (Yala Enki) and Tabitha Worsley (Sub Lieutenant) all look to go one better and bid to become the first female jockey to win this much-loved race.

Race 7: Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2)

Sunday 3:20am AEST

A bumper ends the card today. (20) Super Six the pick in this, won his first 2 starts then 5th in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Solid contender for the Twiston-Davies team.

(1) Balco Coastal won a Kempton bumper by a massive 17 lengths back in February. Big chance.

Of the others (10) Knappers Hill and (11) Luttrell Lad get a mention.

TIP: (20) Super Six – $15.00 at Neds